above: US Chess Fed. Secretary Hoffpauir with IM Oladapo Adu, 1995 Nigerian National Champion, winning the 2022 Fredericksburg Open. He's been on a tear recently, competing across Africa and the U.S. in pursuit of his next title: Grandmaster! Adu and I have different styles of teaching (more traditional vs. more conversational, I'd say) so perhaps students would benefit from the hybrid approach.
International Master Oladapo "Dapsay" Adu and I will be teaching classes throughout the summer of 2026—for the fourth straight year! We have taught together quite a bit, including for a Colombian team at the embassy and with Chess Girls DC.
The classes are 3 hours: 9 AM TO 12 PM EASTERN EVERY WEEKDAY MORNING FROM AUGUST 3-7 AND AUGUST 10-14. We're expecting in the ballpark of 8 students per class, plus breakouts for part of the class to have smaller groups based on strength. It's flexible, knowing students' summer schedules, so drop in when you can and pay per class: Approx. hour of interactive instruction, analysis of students' games, and sparring games between students and coaches. SPECIAL FOCUS THIS SUMMER: AN ASSESSMENT OF THE STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF EACH PLAYER AND AN IMPROVEMENT PLAN. Since we have two coaches, for part of the class we can do break-outs for intermediate and advanced students.
Please sign up below. It is $30USD per class if you attend 2 or more classes that given week, and $40/class for all others — but if you could use a scholarship, just let us know and we'll work out something that is doable for you. Likewise, if affordability is not an issue for you, based on the sliding scale model, then you can pay 40 or whatever you think it is worth to help subsidize the other students. The paypal link is below and you will get the default zoom link right after signup.
These are intensive classes designed for serious chess players who really want to take their game to the next level. We'll do in-depth analysis of must-know grandmaster games and students' own games, solve complex puzzles, and spar with each other from move 1 and, in the style of elite players, train from unique positions for simulations (coaches, students, bots, and others online).
Students don't need to have a certain rating, but they should be well familiar with the game, possibly having played in at least one tournament or having interest in doing so. So long as the student is focused and eager to learn with a group of wonderful peers who are passionate about the "Royal Game," that's what matters. Finally, we have some partnerships with the Colombian team I mentioned, NYC students, the Cuban Embassy, and children as well as adults on a military base, so we hope to create connections and get in sparring games/informal tournaments with these students.
We look forward to learning with you soon and to elevate your game to the next level this summer!
ZOOM LINK for every class, beginning at 9am weekdays, will be emailed to you upon sign-up.
You can make the weekly payment here, based on how many classes are attended. Both coaches split proceeds evenly.
We look forward to a summer of big growth, as each student will acquire a ton of theory, practical playing experience vs. strong opponents, and a clear assessment of their strengths and weaknesses, walking away with a solid improvement plan.
Feel free to reply to the email sent out so that we can clarify the plan toward the end of the camp.